Spitalfields is an area undergoing rapid and far-reaching change. Several large-scale projects are being developed on the fringes of the ward, from Bishopsgate Goodsyard in the north, to Blossom Street in the west, to the Algate East area in the south. These schemes offer regeneration of unused or underused areas and significant commercial opportunities. However they also threaten to change the unique character of Spitalfields as well as placing ever increasing demands on the infrastructure of the ward. SCG is involved in every stage of the planning process to ensure the amenity of local residents and workers is adequately represented.

What involvement does SCG have?

SCG is registered with the London Borough of Tower Hamlets as a consultee as part of the pre-planning process for any major planning application in Spitalfields. When a proposal is brought to its attention the SCG Committee considers:

Is the scheme likely to have a significant impact on the character of the area?

Is the scheme likely to affect a large number of residents or workers within the area?

When reviewing a planning proposal the Committee is mindful of the opinions of the membership. In particular, the Committee is guided by the results of the Members' Survey which established the most important aspects of a development, namely conservation, heritage and loss of amenity. On any given proposal members are encouraged to share their opinions with the Committee and these are incorporated into the group's final response where possible. Members are kept informed of the actions taken by the group and are given the opportunity to comment at each stage of the process. The strategy of the group is to attempt to mediate with a planning applicant on issues of concern whenever possible. This has been a productive approach and we welcome pre-planning consultations with any prospective developer.

Once a planning decision has been made, SCG aims to represent its members throughout the construction phase to ensure disruption to the local community is minimised. SCG Committee members are currently attending the LFWE liaison meetings and have arranged for surveys of properties affected by vibrations during the demolition process.

SCG does not take a position on minor proposals that are likely to have only a localised impact. The group does not get involved in neighbourly planning disputes but is happy to offer its members advice on the planning process if practicable.

Current representations

SCG has made representations in the following active planning applications:

Bishopsgate Goodsyard (PA/14/02011, PA/14/02096). SCG has objected to the development on the grounds of the excessive height of the proposed towers. The group also expressed misgivings concerning the over-use of Core10 as a building material. Our objection letter to LBTH can be read here and our letter to Boris Johnson here. SCG has since worked closely with the More Light More Power campaign. The developers are currently reconsidering their plans following the GLA Planning Officer's recommendation that they be rejected.

Blossom St (PA/14/03548, PA/14/03618). SCG objected to the redevelpment on the grounds of excessive massing. The group felt that the proposed scale and design would be harmful to the Conservation Area. You can read our representations to both LBTH and GLA. SCG's views are closely aligned to those held by the Save Norton Folgate campaign.

66-68 Bell Lane (PA/15/01474). SCG is objecting to the demolition of this building on the grounds of its architectural merit and its contribution to the character of the area. There is already planning permission to sympathetically restore and extend the existing building. In addition the group felt that the proposed new building is incongruent with the architecture of the Conservation Area. Our letter of objection is here. The case has attracted considerable press interest in The Guardian, Dezeen, Apollo Magazine, and East London Advertiser. The application was refused by Tower Hamlets on 12th February 2016 and is now subject to an appeal. UPDATE, 17th December 2016: this appeal has now been dropped.

66-68 Bell Lane (PA/16/00391). Subequently the same applicant has submitted revised plans for the same site. By the applicant's own admission these new proposals are very similar to those above and also involve the demolition of the existing building. SCG is objecting to these plans too. Our reasons for doing so can be read here. UPDATE, 21st April 2016: these plans have also been rejected by LBTH.

2-10 Cobb St (PA/16/03242). SCG has objected to plans to demolish these buildings. There is already permission for a considerable expansion of the site: a roof extension and a 3-storey rear extension but, importantly in our view, the facades must be retained. The new proposals are that these facades be demolished and replaced by modern relicas. Our objection letter is given here.

existing planning permission

proposed new building

Full details of all of these planning applications can be found on the searchable LBTH Planning Portal database. Please see our Twitter and Facebook feeds for further updates.

Past representations

SCG was heavily involved in the campaign to save the London Fruit and Wool Exchange from demolition and redevelopment. The proposals were rejected by Tower Hamlets and only passed after the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, exercised his executive pwer to over-rule the local planning process. However the campaign was not fruitless: significant concessions were gained from the developer including the retention of the Brushfield Street facade, an increase in the provision of affordable housing, and an uplift to the Community Infrastructure Levy.

In addition, SCG has been involved in the consulation process for many other planning proposals including those at Toynbee Hall, Christ Church crypt, 45-49 Hanbury St, Duke of Wellington pub, Tunes Hotel (Folgate Street), Bangla City site on Brick Lane, and The Exchange Building.

Spitalfields Neighbourhood Planning Forum (SNPF)

SCG welcomes the development of a Neighbourhood Planning Forum for Spitalfields. Introduced through the Localism Act 2011, Neighbourhood Plans give communities the ability to set out their vision for their local area and create their own planning policies to guide development in their neighbourhood. The Spitalfields Neighbourhood Planning Forum was set up with a steering group consisting of 3 members from the SCG Committee and 3 members from the Spitalfields Society. We retain a representative on the fully constituted SNPF Committee. On 18 December 2015 the Mayor of Tower Hamlets proclaimed the formal designation of the SNPF had been “agreed in principle” and “will follow shortly, if we can overcome local issues.”